REASONS TO BUY
Low cost
Lightweight
Great hard floor edge performance
REASONS TO AVOID
Inefficient
Low suction power
Can clog with big messes
Kenmore Elite CSV Max DS4095 Review
This model competes well against other similarly priced budget models
Credit: Natalie Kafader
By Rachael Lamore ⋅ Senior Review Analyst ⋅ July 18, 2025
Contributions From: Chris Maxcer
Our Verdict
The Kenmore Elite lacks power, and its bristle design doesn't compensate for it, resulting in a weak combination for tackling anything on carpet. Hard surfaces were also a challenge, often dragging heavier sand along instead of lifting it off the floor. We liked that it's light and easy to push around, but the swivel range is limited, making tight turns harder. We suggest avoiding shag carpets, as this model doesn't perform well on them. There are always trade-offs with budget cordless vacuums, but there are other models at similar prices that offer more cleaning power.
Our Analysis and Test Results
For an inexpensive stick vacuum, the Kenmore Elite includes a handy design element: the Kenmore EasyReach. This wand design bends in the middle, allowing us to push the cleaner head under furniture without bending over as much otherwise. It's a lower-priced alternative to the similar Shark Stratos Cordless Multi-FLEX hinge we love so much.
We conduct over 25 individual tests of each cordless vacuum in our overall assessment.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Carpet Performance
Although low pile carpet is the most common in most households, we include high pile carpeting in our tests because it represents popular shaggy area rugs that need vacuuming, too.
By sucking up 77% of the testing debris, this vacuum did below average in comparison to the rest of the lineup.
Before Testing After Testing
The performance comparison between the Shark Detect (left), Kenmore (center), and Samsung (right).
Even though it created a suction seal that we could feel on low-pile carpet, when we weighed the total debris it collected, we could see that it wasn't able to suck up much of the sand that had slipped down into the carpet weaves.
Because it's so thick and deep, a high-pile does a great job of revealing differences in head cleaner designs and suction power characteristics that can help you make a buying decision.
When we drill down into the high pile performance data, we see that the Elite CSV Max struggled to collect just 20% of the sand, rice, and Cheerios mixture.
It seemed to pick up the easy debris on top, but rolled over anything remotely buried in the high carpet weave. This vacuum felt like it was gliding across the thick carpet. We think it couldn't pick up anything deeper than surface-level material.
Hardwood Performance
The volume of material seemed a bit much for this product to handle all at once. Even when we slowed down, it had a tendency to drag material along with it, only sucking up bits and pieces at a time.
Still, with budget-minded patience, it cleans hardwood floors, albeit with additional passes. To be the most effective, we suggest focusing primarily on forward passes. Larger cereals will require multiple attempts and maybe some cleaner head rocking to help bigger items get underneath.
This Kenmore has a multi-purpose single head, which worked reasonably well on hard floors but didn't whisk and suck, as well as softer, fluffier rollers.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
This view underneath plexiglass shows how its lower head profile can drag and plow larger debris like Cheerios. Meanwhile, the sand takes a few passes to get fully sucked up.
This product gave two very different results in our edge test with coffee grounds. When we attacked the coffee grounds head-on, it sucked up all the grounds, but when we tried this test with a pass parallel to the wall, it left about a 1/4" line of grounds along the wall. Houses that have long hallways with hardwood floors will need to spend a bit more time with this vacuum to get the baseboards and corners clean.
When we look closely at the bottom of this Kenmore cleaner head, we can see why it performed poorly close to walls in our parallel test. Note the fuzzy seal on the side edge of the roller at the left. Coffee grounds aren't going to be sucked through that design from the side!
Credit: Jessica Riconscente
Pet Hair
This model sucked up an average amount of pet hair on low-pile carpet, but again struggled with high-pile carpet challenges.
After testing with both debris and pet hair on high-pile carpet, we would not recommend this vacuum for any shaggy carpet needs.
This cleaner head roll seemingly wrapped up nearly all the hair extensions in our pet hair test. Although this is alarming, all vacuums tended to latch onto the extensions. We just hoped it wasn't as much as you see here.
Credit: Rachael Lamore
Filtration
This vacuum contained larger flour particles well but allowed 976 small 0.5-2.5µm particles to escape. Dylos ranks anything less than 75 small particles as an excellent result and 300-1050, to be fair.
Filtration Particle Count
| Kenmore Elite CSV Max DS4095 | |
|---|---|
| Small Particle Count | 976 |
| HEPA Filter | ✖ |
| Dylos Air Quality Designation | Fair |
This test result isn't exactly bad, but it's starting to stray into an area that might be problematic with those sensitive to indoor allergens or pet dander. Many other vacuums during our test can reduce these emissions down to 70 or less in comparison. The Levoit LVAC-200 is a good alternative for those looking for a budget model that prioritizes this aspect of vacuuming.
Ease of Use
It's lightweight, but we had trouble navigating around furniture, since it tilts side to side more than it rotates. It also needed a little help when transitioning over high thresholds.
While the wand can be bent to access under the couch or chairs, the fold point is a little too close to the head of the vacuum, limiting the overall reach of this useful feature. The best part about handling this model is its very low measured handheld weight of just 2 pounds, making it a good choice for those who need easy pushing and pulling as a primary factor in vacuuming.
Tight turns were difficult to make through our obstacle course for the maneuverability testing because the head of the Kenmore tilts more than swivels.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
This Kenmore cordless vacuum only includes an EasyReach Wand accessory, which limits our ability to use it on upholstery.
Before Testing After Testing
The EasyReach Wand has both bristles and a built-in hard crevice tool, which is handy for some tasks but falters on upholstery and fabrics.
For discerning shoppers, cordless vacuums that cost a bit more usually include smaller, powered handheld accessories, which make vacuuming furniture more effective.
Battery
This vacuum has mediocre battery life, lasting longest at 34 minutes on it's lowest ssetting doesn't allow you to get through much of your chores.
Because this vacuum is relatively underpowered, some people will likely need to run it on high more often, making it harder to clean multiple rooms in a home without recharging. With this in mind, this vacuum is better for small apartments or if you're willing to break up your cleaning routine into segments.
Measured suction power at the cleaner head was far below average at 149 pascals, but not unexpected for its budget price point.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Should You Buy the Kenmore Elite CSV Max DS4095?
This vacuum stands out from its peers for consistently good low-profile carpet and hardwood cleaning. If you're on a tight budget, we suggest this vacuum to help you get things done, although it might take an extra couple of passes compared to premium products. The only limitation we worry about is its struggle with higher pile carpets and rugs due to its low suction. If you want a deep cleaner for that, you'll need to invest in a premium product.
What Other Stick Vaccums Should You Consider?
If your overall budget is the most important aspect, we suggest spending just a little more and getting the Levoit LVAC 200. It's a great performer for the cost and is remarkably easy to maintain. If you're set on this price point, look at the Black+Decker Powerseries+ 20V. While it is slightly behind in carpet cleaning performance, it outshined the Kenmore when it came to cleaning fur, so this might take precedence for pet owners.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Compare Kenmore Elite CSV Max DS4095 versus top competing products:
—Rachael Lamore and Chris Maxcer
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